Magazine honors O.C. woman as 'Fearless Latina'

Orange County resident and non-profit fundraiser Maria Cervantes is one of 12 people being recognized by Cosmopolitan for Latinas. COURTESY OF NANCY-RAMOS.COM

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The authors of "Mexican American Baseball in Orange County" spoke about the book at the Fullerton Public Library recently. From left are Luis F. Fernandez, Richard A. Santillan, Angelina F. Veyna and Susan C. Luevano. RON GONZALES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Claudia Garcia dances with Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano during the 2009 Battle of the Mariachi festival at Mission San Juan Capistrano. KEN STEINHARDT, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Business seeking to expand their exports to Mexico and Canada are invited to a seminar on Tuesday, May 14 in Santa Ana. DAVID MCNEW, GETTY IMAGES

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The annual Adelante Young Men Conference at Santa Ana College is now accepting reservations. RON GONZALES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Orange County resident and non-profit fundraiser Maria Cervantes is one of 12 people being recognized by Cosmopolitan for Latinas. COURTESY OF NANCY-RAMOS.COM

Magazine honor: Orange County resident and non-profit fundraiser Maria Cervantes is one of 12 people being recognized by Cosmopolitan for Latinas.

Cervantes, an Anaheim resident who grew up in Santa Ana, is the diversity and community relations officer at the Irvine-based education non-profit MIND Research Institute.

Cervantes has raised more than $3.5 million for MIND Research to help low-income elementary school students and English language learners excel in math and prepare for careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

She started at MIND Research Institute more than 11 years ago as a receptionist, working her way up to become a fundraiser and organizer of MIND's Diversity Council.

She said that through her work at the non-profit, she's in a position to change the lives of children, Latinos in particular.

"I'm honored to have been selected by the editors of Cosmopolitan for Latinas to stand alongside such Latina luminaries," said Cervantes, 34.

Cervantes and the other recipients of the Fun Fearless Latina Awards are featured in the summer 2013 issue of the magazine. She will be recognized at a May 23 luncheon in New York.

The non-profit MIND Research Institute applies a visual approach to illustrating math concepts and building problem-solving skills. Its programs reach more than 500,000 students in 30 states. See mindresearch.net

Baseball history: Authors of the recently released book, "Mexican American Baseball in Orange County," will discuss their work at a meeting of the Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research on Saturday, May 11.

It's the third in a series of books on the history of Mexican American participation in the sport, by both men and women, from about 1900 to about 1960.

Books will be available for purchase.

The free presentation will take place at the Orange Family History Center, 674 S. Yorba St., Orange. Volunteers will provide research assistance from 9 -10 a.m., and the presentation will take place from 10 -11:30 a.m. For information, contact Letty Rodella at lettyr@sbcglobal.net.

Mariachi fest: Mission San Juan Capistrano holds its ninth annual Battle of the Mariachis Festival on Saturday, May 11.

The event features 10 mariachi groups, as well as folklorico dancers, bilingual marionettes and other entertainment. It takes place from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Central Courtyard. Mariachi Capistrano will perform from 10:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. and again during intermission, at 12:45 p.m.

General admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 60+ and $6 for children 4-11. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on Saturday. The mission opens at 9 a.m. See missionsjc.com.

Business growth: Business seeking to expand their exports to Mexico and Canada are invited to a seminar on Tuesday, May 14 in Santa Ana.

It takes place from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Rancho Santiago Community College District headquarters, 2323 N. Broadway. Early registration is free, and $10 at the door. Sponsors include the Rancho Santiago Center for International Trade Development. For information, call 714-564-5414. See ranchosantiagocitd.org.

Serving youth: The annual Adelante Young Men's Conference, for boys in middle school from 12 to 14, is set for Saturday, May 25 at Santa Ana College.

Jose Solorio, vice president of the Rancho Santiago Community College District board, is the keynote speaker at the daylong conference, which is presented by MANA de Orange County community service members, The Eddie Nash Foundation and Santa Ana College.

Registration is due by May 17. For information, contact nelliek@roadrunner.com or call Irene Asencio at 714-400-5310.

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